State offers special enrollment period for 9,300 Illinoisans who lost Medicaid coverage

The state is offering thousands of Illinoisans who recently lost Medicaid coverage because of changing federal eligibility requirements a chance to keep the care they need.

Get Covered Illinois has opened a special enrollment period through Dec. 31, with premium tax credits available to eligible customers. The impacted group will no longer be eligible to receive premium tax credits on Jan. 1, 2027, as a result of federal legislation under President Donald Trump's Big Beautiful Bill.

"Because Illinois runs its own marketplace, we can act quickly when federal changes put our residents' health coverage at risk," Get Covered Illinois Director Morgan Winters said in a news release. "That's why we are offering this special enrollment period, so these groups losing Medicaid can continue to access health care. We have an expansive network of navigators and brokers across the state ready to help customers understand their options and see if they qualify for financial help to lower the cost of a marketplace plan."

Thousands of Illinois Medicaid enrollees were expected to lose coverage under new federal eligibility rules that took effect Oct. 1, with additional changes to the program coming in the months ahead.

To apply for the special enrollment period, Illinoisans should call the Get Covered Illinois customer assistance center at 866-311-1119 (TTY: 711). Impacted people can also get help and information in their language at no cost by visiting GetCovered.Illinois.gov.

Eligibility requirement changes impacting noncitizens without a green card took effect Oct. 1. The changes are part of the federal law signed by President Donald Trump in July, formally known as the One Big Beautiful Bill Act.

State leaders said the president's federal regulation changes are making it harder for people to get the health care they need.

"Trump's goal is cruelty – kicking lawfully present immigrants off Medicaid and making care more expensive for everyone else – so Illinois is stepping up to make sure no one falls through the cracks," Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton said in a news release. "Thanks to Get Covered Illinois, this special enrollment period will help give people time to find the right health care options for their families."

The special enrollment period allows eligible Illinoisans who lost Medicaid due to federal changes to receive coverage retroactive to Oct. 1, 2026, helping them avoid a gap in health insurance. People may also qualify for premium tax credits to lower the cost of marketplace insurance through the end of 2026, according to the state.

Medicaid is administered by the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services. HFS Director Elizabeth Whitehorn said the goal is to support Illinoisans' access to needed care.

"This special enrollment period will provide a tool for impacted individuals to have somewhere to turn for their immediate health care needs," Whitehorn said in the release. "Getting the word out about coverage options is vital to support this vulnerable population that has been targeted by the H.R. 1 law."

To learn more about federal changes affecting the marketplace, visit GetCoveredIllinois.gov/MarketplaceChanges.

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